Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-07-16
A MYSTERIOUS LEGACY.

A MYSTERIOUS LEGAGI,
My grandfather was sea Captain-not a
mere claimant Of the title, like the water
men of the lakes and the coast shippers
who never get out of land, and who, If
they got there could never get back-but a
genuine cid SALT trained from boyhood
under tarpaulin hat, and as familiar with
the paths OF the sea" as shepherd is
with those of a sheep-wslk. Spending his
life on extensive voyages, he was seldom at
home long enough at a time for the salt
spray to dry on his weather-beaten cheeks
and there was hardly port on the habita-
bic globe in which he could not shake
hands with an old acquaintance, civilized
or savage.
OF course his history was crowded with
curious incidents. Most of these, with
which my childish ear tingled and my eyes
dilated, have become so faded in memory
as to be incapable of tolerable narration.
The following, however, made more last
ing impression
During the calm between the old French
war and the American Revolution large
ship was lying at wharf in the town OF
New York, loaded with a valuable cargo
and ready to sail for Liverpool, and thence
TO whatever part of the globe the chances
of commerce would dictate.
This was my grandfathers ship, only
waiting for her papers and fair wind.
The papers were soon ready, and shortly
after them came q breeze. Presently every
thing on board was in active motion-the
casting off and coiling of ropes, the unfurl-
ing of canvas and the running up of sailor
boys along the ratlines like spiders on their
webs, while the sharp, imperative orders of
the mate and the hearty ye-hoy-ye" of
the cheerful crew echoed over the ripping
waters of the harbor, which looked in the
rays of the setting sun as if it was covered
with cream of liquid gold.
Just before the last plank was hauled in
q stranger stepped hurriedlv on board and
inquired for the Captains stateroom. Be
ing conducted thither he entered, and, with
slight bow, accosted the Captain, who sat
writing at his desk.
You are for Liverpool, l believe sir?"
Yes, sir
am in poor health and intending to
spend the winter in Italy, wish to get pass
age in the first ship that sails for Europe.
VIII you take passenger
Yes, sir, if my accommodations will
suit you"
No matter about the accommodations.
Captain. | am an old sailor, and know how
to accommodate myself. Besides, the trim
of your ship attracts my eve"
The allusion to his i'll health attracted
my grandfather's scrutiny, and the intro
duction of himself as an old sailor touched
his heart. On noticing him more particu-
larry he was struck with an undefnable
feeling of curiosity and sympathy at his
appearance. Tall, straight and rather slen-
der, he was dressed in fine black broad.
cloth, with sort of Spanish cloak of the
same color and quality. A two-edged
sword, common on shipboard at that time,
and improperly called cutlass, was partly
covered by his cloak, and hung by his side
without q sheath. His hair was quite
gray, and his manly features would have
been handsome had they not been so ema-
ciated as to give unpleasant prominence to
a half dozen deep scars on his face. His
eyes were blue and full of expression, but
restless at times, showing sudden abstrac-
ton. The looseness of one of his black
gloves gave evidence that lie had lost a
finger or two from his left hand These
observations were made by the Captain
while the stranger was looking at beauti-
ful sextant on the table. Turning, as if
startled at his forgetfulness, he resumed:
Name the price, Captain, and I will
pay it now"
My grandfather had already fixed the
price in his mind and replied
You are a sailor, sir, and sick. The ac-
commodations of my ship, as well as my
own services, are at your free command"
The language of a sailors heart cannot
be misunderstood and knows no interpre-
ter, and the stranger knew that remon-
STRANGE would be ungenerous on his part.
% No lint DO
his hand, and my grandfather, as he shook
II, thought he saw a tear in the stranger S
eye. But noble hearts are impatient of ex-
hibitions of gratitude, and he quickly
added
" am ready to sail, sir. Is your baggage
on board 2"
This is all my baggage, sir" he replied,
showing him small black satchel under
his cloak.
Leading him to stateroom the Captain
left him and went on deck ard found the
ship already under way, the sails flied with
4 still breeze, the wharves, warehouses and
spectators fast growing small in the dis
lance. At length, Us darkness shut in the
view, the wind increased TO gale. and
from gale to q tempest and for ten days
and nights the noble ship which had
plowed the seas OF every latitude, from
Spitzbergen to New Zealand, underwent
such a conflict with the elements as she
had never before encountered. During all
this time the stranger had been confined
below With an apparently rapid consump-
ton, which rough weather had swiftly ma
tured.
During the storm the duties of the
Captain were so urgent that he could ONLY
make snatches and hasty visits to the sick
man; aud. although they could have been
spared from their quarter, he could have
hoped for little and sympathy from any
of the crew, who. with the easy tendency
TO the superstition peculiar to their class
had associated his presence with the perils
of the ship.
1t would have required but slight en-
enlargement from their official to induce
them to pay HIM the same complimentthat
the sailors of Joppa paid TO Jonah on
similar occasion, wnen The sea wrought
and was tempestuous"
But on the tenth night, Just as the
Captain was ready TO answer summons
TO visit the sick mans berth. the storm
ceased with suddenness that was start
ling; the wind was entirely lulled, and no
evidence of its fury remained excep; the
long swelling pillows of the seattle deep
altersighs of its mighty passion.
The sudden sitting OF the tempest aud
the mournful cracking of the spars now au-
dible for the first time for many DAYS
forced shade of melancholy over my
grandfather's Split rs he fastened down
the gangway at the call of the stranger.
As he seated himself beside the berth the
sick man fixed his brilliant eyes upon him
and said calmly:
" Captain, am dying"
" / hope not, my dear sir this dreadful
gale has weakesed you. 1t is all over now,
aud you will soon be better
s. No, Captain, he repeated, Il am dy-
ing, The tempest, l know, is over: so is
that other tempest in my breastl This
ship has long been tossed and beaten about
by the fury of the waves, but it has been
sunshine and calm compared with that
tempest, Captain! But it is all over now.
for have forgiven him-he has long been
in the grave-but have forgiven him p
My grandfather thought ne was delfri-
Gus; bnt second look at the deep intelli-
gence of his eye and the smiling caImness
OF his features, forbade the conclusion. He
gazed at him moment with mingled com
passion and curiosity. anxious 10 learn
something of history the closing scene of
which was so dark and mysterious. but
unwilling to ask it. His look was inter-
preted and the stranger continued:
/ told you | was q sailor. Ofthirty-five
years have not spent one upon the land.
: l. - Il. II